The Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau have rounded off its 2019/2020 Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) with the training of the fourth batch in the Entrepreneurship and Business Management Training (EBMT).
A total of 183 beneficiaries in the batch, which is the last batch of the programme, have just undergone the two-day compulsory EBMT which qualifies them to receive starter packs from the bureau in order to establish their enterprises.
The 183 had been trained for the various skills including Tiling and Interlocking, Fashion and Textile Design, Welding and Fabrication, as well as Electrical and Solar Works. The duration of their skills training spanned between three and eight months, depending on their chosen enterprises.
They had also part-took in the Post Training Proficiency Test (PTPT) that qualified them for the BMET.
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The 183 beneficiaries now bring to 474 the number of the STEP graduands since February this year when training under the current cycle commenced.
The Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Eric Eboh, a professor, while addressing the graduands during the two-day EBMT held in Asaba on Monday and Tuesday, congratulated them for the successful completion of their training in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I congratulate you because you deserve to be here. We are all conscious of the challenges we experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of the challenges, you persevered. We started this programme in February. By now, you ought to have completed the programme. You have successfully completed your training, passed the PTPT and after this business management training, you will be given your starter packs”, Eboh told the graduands.
He pointed out that the essence of the EBMT was to expose them to ideas and tips that would help them to manage, grow, and sustain their businesses.
“For you to be successful as an entrepreneur, you must know how to manage your business, prepare a business plan, where to locate your business amongst others. That is why the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, ensured that seasoned resource persons are brought to talk to you about these tips to help you succeed,” he added.
Eboh who was represented by the Coordinator STEP, in the bureau, Onyeisi Nkenchor, advised them not to take the training for granted, but to take it seriously by imbibing all that they were taught and apply same in managing their businesses.
Afolabi Adun, a pastor and resource person, in his lecture, titled, “Principles and Practices for Starting Business” taught them how to avoid pitfalls in business and tips for business success.
Responding, Ifeanyichukwu Callistus (Oshimili North LGA) and Brenda Macaulay (Bomadi LGA) both in Fashion and Textile Design, described STEP as a life-changing opportunity that should be used well by all beneficiaries. This was even as they thanked the state government for the initiative.
Sharing his experience, Pleasure Eferaye (Ethiope East LGA) while also appreciating the state government for STEP, however, lamented a situation where he had to travel from Oghara (his domain) to Sapele (training centre), saying it was the greatest challenge he had in the course of the programme as there was no STEP trainer in his area.
He however said his passion to acquire a skill after five years of joblessness as a Statistician, motivated him to be consistent throughout the months of skill training in the Welding and Fabrication.
He expressed optimism that when established, he would grow his business to standard, having learnt the skill well.
“I want to build my Welding and Fabrication Enterprise to meet the Job Creation Bureau criteria for choosing training centres. This will enable me to qualify to become a job creation trainer in my area (Oghara). I want to save prospective STEP beneficiaries in Oghara the financial burden and rigour of going to Sapele to acquire the skill there.”
